Falcon's Mate by Michelle M Pillow

Princess Ari is about to become the Queen, but before she does she has to go through the mating ceremony. On drinking from the cup, her and her fated mate are transported away from everyone else so they can make their reunion official. Commander Rurik has always loved Ari, but never thought she felt the same, and as a pure born Falcon, he knows he won't be picked to be her mate. Except that this time things are different, and when Ari and Rurik find themselves together they have to explore their old feelings.

Falcon's Mate was quite a short read, but it was quite fast paced. The story took place in a short amount of time, though there were several moments where the characters remembered the past and this helped bring them together and paint a basis for their relationship.

It was fairly evident from early on that Ari and Rurik actually quite liked each other, and always had done. But they hadn't actually acted on it. It was a little frustrating having to know that the two of them liked each other and that when they said the wrong thing they actually meant well, but actually it made their relationship work better.

I really liked seeing a female character in a position of power. She wasn't beneath Rurik, and Ari didn't actually need him to rule. She was strong in her own right and held the political power. The balance between that and her being feminine was struck well and it worked for me.

Pillow doesn't fail to deliver with Falcon's Mate, I found it a fun and enjoyable read.